Air New Zealand Kicks off $2.5m Free Domestic Flights Campaign in Australia

Air New Zealand has today launched a major campaign in Australia designed to get more Australians visiting all parts of New Zealand.

The ‘BIG NZ SHOUT’ campaign runs for three weeks until 10 May 2009, in support of the New Zealand Government’s $2.5m tourism funding boost for Australia.

Air New Zealand is giving away more than $2m in free domestic travel by providing a free one-way New Zealand domestic flight to any of its New Zealand ports with every one-way direct trans-Tasman flight purchased during the promotion.

“This campaign offers access to our network of 27 domestic ports, something no other airline flying the Tasman can offer,” says Air New Zealand Group General Manager Short Haul Airlines Bruce Parton.

“It means for example, someone could fly from Sydney to Christchurch, take a free flight to Nelson and experience a few days in the region, before flying for free again to Wellington or Auckland for a stop before heading back across the Tasman.”

To make the offer all the more appealing, the campaign is running in conjunction with a five day sale with one way fares to New Zealand starting from A$209 including taxes.

The marketing campaign is running nationwide in Australia including major press, radio, online and TV advertising.

“Air New Zealand has worked closely with Tourism New Zealand to maximise this opportunity and is working with New Zealand regional tourism organisations (RTOs) offering up to 100 free return airfares to attract Australian media to visit their regions,” says Mr Parton.

“A number of major Australian newspapers and popular consumer publications including AAP, Sunday Mail and Herald Sun have already booked flights to New Zealand as part of the media allocation.”

The BIG NZ SHOUT free domestic offer is running in Australia from 20 April to 10 May 2009 for travel in May and June 2009. Full information is available at www.airnewzealand.com.au